Money laundering case: Highest punishment sought for GK Shamim

The prosecution today completed arguments and sought the highest punishment for GK Shamim, a top contractor of government projects, and his seven bodyguards in a money laundering case.

The seven bodyguards are: Md Delwar Hossain, Md Murad Hossain, Md Jahidul Islam, Md Shahidul Islam, Md Kamal Hossain, Md Samsad Hossain and Md Aminul Islam.

The highest punishment in a money laundering case is 12 years' imprisonment.

During the closing arguments, Mahmudul Hasan, an assistant public prosecutor of the case, told the court that they have proved the charges brought against GK Shamim and others beyond doubt and appealed to the court for giving the highest punishment for the offences.

Judge Md Nazrul Islam of the Special Court-10 of Dhaka heard it and fixed March 15 for arguments on behalf of GK Shamim and seven others.

Earlier, the judge recorded statements of 23 prosecution witnesses, including the complainant of the case.

On November 10 of 2020, the same court framed charges against GK Shamim and his seven body guards in the case.

Abu Sayeed, an additional special superintendent of organised economic crime unit at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and the investigation officer of the case, said in the charge sheet that Shamim has Tk 337.3 crore in 180 fixed deposit accounts with different banks, two houses in the capital and 52 kathas of land worth Tk 41 crore.

Shamim, an expelled Jubo League leader, amassed the wealth through tender manipulation at government departments and extortion at bus terminals and cattle markets, the charge further added.

Rapid Action Battalion members on September 20 of 2019 arrested Shamim on charges of extortion and tender manipulation. His bodyguards were also arrested. Later, Rab filed three cases against Shamim with Gulshan Police Station.

Earlier on September 25 last year, another Dhaka tribunal sentenced SM Golam Kibria, popularly known as GK Shamim, and his seven bodyguards to life in prison in an arms case.